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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Surprise, surprise, I've put the moth trap out again tonight. I rigged it all up and went indoors to check the circuit-breaker and switch it all on. Then I went back outdoors to check that it was actually on and the light wasn't illuminating our neighbours' house.

When I stepped outside, I heard a faint, very distant call: a Quail! I really didn't expect that. We only had a garden tick last week (also in conjunction with moth trapping activity). Will there be another very soon? That would bring us tantalisingly close to the ton.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

As if this morning's crazy moth trapping wasn't good enough, I found new species for the garden this afternoon, in the form of a female Emerald Damselfly. That was unexpected. She perched on the water mint in the pond and caught tiny insects.

Then, while I was composing my moth trapping blog post, there was a Yellow Wagtail calling from somewhere in the garden (couldn't see where, but we hear them fairly regularly and sometimes see them around the pond).

And then a Whimbrel flew over the garden, calling! Couldn't see that either. Don't even need it for a garden tick, unfortunately...

Sunday, July 18, 2010

But at Beeston today we caught a nice selection of migrating/dispersing warblers: a load of Blackcaps (including an adult male from a few years ago), Garden Warblers, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and - possibly nicest of all - the Lesser Whitethroat pictured below.

As far as most birds are concerned, the breeding season is finished and autumn is here. It's time for moulting and feeding, and migration's not far away. For some of these birds, the Sahara beckons...

I believe this to be a Scarce Footman. Despite the name, it seems not to be that scarce. I am going to have to start looking at moths really carefully. Now I've separated Scarce Footman from Common, and also Smoky Wainscot from Common Wainscot, there are no excuses. Must get moth tuition...

Your daily hawkmoth - Poplar

Another cool, misty, damp morning with a breeze, which didn't look that promising, but which still yielded 190 moths of 30 species.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

I'm really getting into this moth trapping thing, as you might have noticed.

I got up early again this morning to check the trap. It was stuffed full of moths of all sizes, lots of midges and craneflies, a few honeybees, some ladybirds and a couple of beetles. In fact, there were so many moths I didn't really know where to start.

By the end I'd 'identified' (I use the term loosely in connection with moths) about 295 moths of about 60 species! It's the biggest catch yet.